The team recently wandered from the 8th to the 1st arrondissement, seeking inspiration in Paris’s most innovative retail spaces. Along the way, we encountered the diversity and depth of the city’s shopping scene - from dynamic pop-ups to immersive concept stores.
Discover 6 of our favorite finds from the 8th:
KAIST X AMOREPACIFIC - Photo Cosmetics IC
KAIST X AMOREPACIFIC
Centre Culturel Coréen, 20 rue la Boétie, 75008
A collaborative installation from KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) and the K-beauty group Amorepacific explores the fusion of technological innovation and beauty. Merging minimalist Korean design with interactive technology, the experience begins with a skin tone scanner that identifies the visitor’s ideal color palette and recommends products from the Amorepacific brand, TONEWORK. Following this, AI technology analyzes the specific undertones of the skin using a small card placed on the jaw to suggest the most suitable shade of Hera foundation, tailored to desired preferences (a luminous finish, a darker shade, or specific undertones like yellow or pink). The recommended shades can then be tested on-site, with over 205 custom foundation options available. Purchases, however, must be made online.
CAFE DE LA ROSE
52 Avenue des Champs-Élysées, 75008
Located on the iconic Champs Elysées, the Café de la Rose Lancôme offers a multisensory experience that captures the essence of the brand through its star ingredient: the rose. Upon entering, the subtle fragrance of roses immediately immerses visitors in the Lancôme universe. The café's décor is a palette of pinks, accented with touches of gold and white, and accompanied by oversized floral motifs and elements inspired by the brand’s fragrances. A cafe counter serves rose-inspired pastries crafted by Nina Metayer (recognized as the world's best pastry chef in 2023 and 2024), which can be eaten out on the flower-covered terrace or taken away in personally customized gift boxes. The whole experience is elevated by dancing robots that pluck a Lancôme rose from a display, allowing customers to spray it with their chosen fragrance.
CAFE DE LA ROSE - Photo Cosmetics IC
SKIMS POP-UP - Champs Elyséess - Photo Cosmetics IC
SKIMS
60 Avenue des Champs-Élysées, 75008
The SKIMS pop-up store (until September 3rd), situated in the atrium of the Galeries Lafayette Champs Élysées, presents an edited selection of products from the celebrity brand. Though located at the heart of the department store, the presence of SKIMS is signposted by mannequins dressed in the brand's signature shapewear, displayed prominently at the entrance and along the main staircase. The pop-up allows clients to explore the Fits Everybody line, featuring underwear, bodysuits, and t-shirts, as well as the Seamless Sculpt collection, which includes shapewear, loungewear, and ready-to-wear pieces in cotton. Additionally, select items from the swimwear collection are also available.
ON
65-67 Avenue des Champs-Élysées,75008
Cult running shoe brand ON has unveiled its second store in Paris and its largest to date. The 1,513m² flagship occupies a classic Haussmannian building, but the Parisian charm on the exterior gives way to an industrial and functional interior that has become a signature aesthetic of the performance-led brand. Stone walls, LED light panels, and concrete floors create a modern, minimalist atmosphere, complemented by industrial display units, counters, and stainless steel shelving. The store spans three levels: the first floor features tennis and training collections, the lower level is dedicated to running shoes, bags, and accessories, and the upper level showcases lifestyle products, indicating the brand's expansion into a broader fashion label.
ON - Champs Elysées - Photo Cosmetics IC
Issey Miyake Paris - Photo Cosmetics IC
ISSEY MIYAKE
28 Rue François 1er, 75008
Located on Rue François 1er, the 360m², two-storey ISSEY MIYAKE store combines art and fashion in a setting characterized by contemporary architecture. The interior, crafted by Tokyo-based designer Tokujin Yoshioka, features two walls entirely covered in anodized aluminum, painted in a custom shade of orange, creating an energetic and futuristic atmosphere. The store reflects Issey Miyake's approach, emphasizing minimalist design and a detailed exploration of materials and forms, consistent with the brand's avant-garde ethos. The store is designed to function as an integrated brand experience, displaying the innovation and craftsmanship associated with the brand's global reputation. Here, visitors can discover elements from the Pleats Please, Homme Plissé, A-POC ABLE, Bao Bao, and 132 5 collections, with the Homme Plissé collection further supplemented by an explanatory corner featuring videos that delve into the details of the collection.
MAISON DYPTIQUE
7 Rue Duphot, 75001
Designed as a living space, this 400 m² boutique on Rue Duphot blends retail with culture, within the architectural elegance of a Parisian apartment. The boutique is a showcase of craftsmanship and artistry, hosting exhibitions, workshops, and events throughout the year. A key feature of the Diptyque experience in this boutique is the dedicated space for fragrance customization. In the summer, the boutique transformed to host an ephemeral space celebrating the centenary of Villa Noailles, where ten young French artists were given carte blanche to create unique decorations on the large-format candles available for sale.
Diptyque - Photo Cosmetics IC
INSPIRATION TOURS
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